Grizzly Cub Waving

Gallery: WildlifePosted July 24, 2011209 views11 comments

I had the opportunity to photograph with Ken Archer and some friends at Yellowstone this spring. The highlight was this Grizzly bear mom and cub which were feeding on ground squirrels near Fishing Bridge. This image is full frame but with a crop from the bottom to remove out of focus foliage there. The cub several times seemed to be waving to the large group of photographers and onlookers who were lined up along the road. Mom went about her business digging up ground squirrels.

7D 500mmF4 1/400 F7.1, iso 500, manual exposure, handheld

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on July 24, 2011 at 8:58 PM

Very nice! Really like the surrounding white in the vegetation.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on July 24, 2011 at 10:33 PM

I really like the almost-monochromatic nature of this capture, Nate. My only wish would have been for a better view of the mother's eye. I love the cub's gesture.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on July 25, 2011 at 3:07 AM

What a great moment!

Vegetation colours are very interesting, I do hope you have no images of dug up ground squirrels!

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 25, 2011 at 8:52 AM

Very cute image with the cub waving there, thanks for the story behind the shot Nate.
I'd like to see a sequel with the cub clapping, after mom pulls out s squirrel

Great stuff!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 25, 2011 at 10:44 AM

Thanks for your comments

Ken, the mother Grizzly caught several ground squirrels but they were dropped on the ground quickly for junior to eat and you can't see that action through the vegetation. One or two were immediately swallowed by mom also. So, I don't have any good images of dug up ground squirrels despite the fact that she was very successful in catching them.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on July 25, 2011 at 10:44 AM

Please don't post any more photos of this pair. They were the bane of my existence in May...

Very cute pose. Based on what I heard from Ken you guys picked the right time to go this year. Glad it was a successful trip.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 25, 2011 at 10:46 AM

Thanks Max, sorry but there are several more on the way. Bad luck about your timing.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Jess Lee on July 25, 2011 at 5:19 PM

Cute cub! I would like to see more of moms face but I bet you have that. They did put on a show.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 114 Posts, 929 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 25, 2011 at 6:43 PM

Nice moment Nate...interesting look with the white foliage. I wish mom was a little more obliging and lifted her head from behind that bush

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on July 25, 2011 at 9:30 PM

hahah, awesome! It almost looks like the cub is directing its mother as to which direction to go. Nice catch Nate.

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on July 26, 2011 at 12:41 AM

I'm looking and looking, but I can't find the mountain bluebird.

Joking aside, the time we had with this gal and her cub was very special and you captured one of the cutest moments of our trip beautifully.
Excellent Photo Nate

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments